Public Policy & Advocacy

PESA provides advocacy, public affairs and strategic public relations advisory and implementation services on issues related to the political economy of regional integration in SADC and other regions in Africa. As an expert thought leader on regional integration, PESA provides strategic analysis, engages in public dialogues, and assists with driving the development of public discourse through broadcast media and publications.

It is always advisable for organisations to always participate in discussions that affect their future and sustainability. But sometimes, due to core functional commitments, organisations miss critical discussions they should be engaged in. Or perhaps your organisation might want to start a conversation that is not currently taking place in order to inform the public or to win hearts and minds; but you are not sure how to proceed. PESA can help you plug that gap.

At PESA we relish strategic collaboration and critical thinking. So we can assist with facilitating public and private stakeholder engagements with or on behalf of clients. Our methodologies can help to strategically position your organisation, influence public perception, dynamically respond to policy changes and encourage public dialogue. Here are some examples of how we can assist you or your organisation:

Driving Public Discourse: Our team and network of thought leaders can assist your organisation in driving the public discourse through publications and broadcast media. Driving the public discourse is the most effective way to approach public affairs. PESA can assist with devising your public affairs strategy and as an implementing partner.

Public Affairs and Policy Audit: PESA provides analysis of your organisation’s current challenges and priority areas for change. Our analysis involves an evaluation of your organisation’s positional strengths and weaknesses; public perception of your organisation from critical stakeholders and policy-makers; the impact of current trends in the discourse of policy-making affecting your organisation; media reputation and ability to respond to crisis; and the threats and opportunities arising from your organisation’s coalition network.

Public Dialogues: Sharing ideas and influencing opinions is at the core of strategic public affairs. Public dialogues are not only important for informing the public about socioeconomic issues and the economic impact of business – public dialogues are also crucial in the consensus-building process. This is a vital aspect of public-private partnerships and economic governance generally. The PESA team can assist your organisation arrange and facilitate public dialogues.

Strategic Influence Analysis: Stakeholder engagement is a crucial part of any effective communications and public affairs strategy. However, without a thorough environmental scan to evaluate your organisations position with respect to political and economic contexts across the SADC, it is easy to overlook important stakeholders. PESA can assist with analysing your organisations political influence and monitoring new players on the rise.

In a short time span, we have established unrivalled access to important players and decision-makers from civil society organisations, the media and governance who shape broader public perceptions; and we are able to understand what they really think about your organisation – not just what they say in public. Moreover, our political economy basis of understanding allows us to integrate political understanding with economic rationale allowing you to win over adversaries, mainstream your “minority” challenges and appeals to broader audience.

To view some of the latest media engagements click on the thumbnails below.

702: The Money Show with Bruce Whitfield Tuesday, 28 November 2017 Africa Business Report segment looking recent developments in Zimbabwe, Libya and Kenya. The interview discusses the resignation of Robert ...View

eNCA: Moneyline Wednesday, 15 November 2017 Interview about the Zimbabwean National Defence Force intervention and the deteriorating political economy situation in the country. The interview also discusses the regional impact ...View

Power98.7: Power Hour Wednesday, 15 November 2017 Interview about the Zimbabwean National Defence Force intervention to curb political corruption and regain market confidence. The interview also analyses the reason behind ...View

eNCA: Moneyline Wednesday, 8 November 2017 Interview about the recent Parliamentary debate motion by the South African Economic Freedom Fighters to nationalise all banks. The discussion unpacks the likelihoods of ...View

702: The Money Show with Bruce Whitfield Wednesday, 25 October 2017 Interview about the South African Minister of Finance Gigaba's 2017/18 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement. The discussion evaluates the ...View

Power98.7: Power Hour Tuesday, 19 September 2017 Interview about the Tanzanian President Magufuli's strong stance against corruption and tax evation. The discussion evaluates the necessity of the Tanzanian stance, analyses ...View

eNCA: Moneyline Wednesday, 6 September 2017 Interview about the achievements and future of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) cooperation after the 9th BRICS Summit held in Xiamen ...View

The Tim Modise Network with Tim Modise Wednesday, 6 September 2017 Interview about the recent assassination of Lesotho’s army commander by two senior officers just three months after elections. The ...View

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About PESA

Political Economy Southern Africa (PESA) is a political economy think tank focused on regional integration in SADC and Africa more broadly. We monitor macroeconomic, industrial and policy developments across the SADC region.Vision

To make the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional integration process and regional political economy universally accessible for different audiences.